Cadet Sponsor Member

Cadet Sponsor Member (CSM) is a membership category allowing parents, grandparents, and guardians of current cadets to assist their unit’s cadet program. CSMs may serve as chaperones, help with transportation, and support the Cadet Program at the unit commander’s discretion, but CSMs will not be assigned to senior member staff positions.

A cadet sponsor is a financial supporter who maintains current membership through payment of annual dues (national only) and may:

• Ride in or drive a corporate CAP vehicle after receiving approval and certification;

• Ride (as a passenger only) on CAP air transportation if available;

• Act as a chaperone at activities, meetings, and overnight events to maintain CAP’s two-deep adult supervisor requirements; and

• Wear any of the CAP-only distinctive uniforms if desired (and approved by unit commander), but not required, when assisting with cadet activities.

Cadet Sponsor Membership Criteria

The following are requirements to join CAP as a Cadet Sponsor Member:

• Be a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian of an active CAP cadet;

• Be at least 18 years of age or be a member of the Armed Forces on active duty at any age;

• Be a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence (a lawfully admitted non-citizen residing in the U.S. may have this waived by CAP’s National Headquarters); and

• Be accepted by the CAP unit’s membership board that you are joining.

Membership may be rejected, unless waived by CAP’s National Headquarters, due to a conviction of a felony by any court of record whether federal, state, or military; a pattern of arrests and/or convictions including, but not limited to, sex offenses, child abuse, DUIs, dishonesty, and violence; discharge from the Armed Forces under other than honorable conditions; falsification of information on the membership application; been previously terminated or non-renewed for cause from membership in CAP; or any other unfavorable information brought to the attention of CAP officials at any level.

Steps to Join CAP

► Attend one of our meetings

Attend a meeting to meet the squadron leadership and learn more about how you could support our Cadet Program and make sure CAP is a good fit.

► Apply for Membership

$50 Annual Dues

Once you are ready to join us, fill out a paper CAPF 12 senior application (PDF) — with “Cadet Sponsor” annotated in red across the top — to be mailed (with a check or credit card info) to our national headquarters along with the required membership dues and FBI fingerprint card. Your proof of identity will need to be confirmed by the squadron. We can help you with the application form and Commander's signature.

Note: Cadet Sponsor Members may transfer to active membership status at no additional cost for the remaining membership year